4. Do I need special software for VRS?
VSoft is easy to use and its video quality is outstanding! You also have the ability to resize the video window up to full screen.
Because VSoft is now an option, before you make a VRS call you must specify which video setting you wish to use. If you click on the down arrow on the "Video Setting" field, you will see 3 options:
- VSoft High
- VSoft Medium
- VSoft Low
If you want to use VSoft for your call, you must first decide which speed to use.
To determine the speed your connection is able to handle, click on "Test Your Speed," which is immediately to the right of the "Video Setting" field. Clicking on "Test Your Speed" will open a new window in the upper left-hand corner of your screen. This window will be titled, "AT&T Bandwidth Test." In this window is a button labeled, "Test Upstream Speed." Click on the "Test Upstream Speed" button. Your connection speed will be calculated for you.
The results of this test will not only tell you your connection speed, but they will also tell you which VSoft setting you should use. Close the "AT&T Bandwidth Test" window by clicking on the "X" in its upper right-hand corner. Next click on the down arrow of the "Video Setting" field and find the VSoft option the bandwidth test recommended you use. Click on that VSoft option. Type in the number you want to call in the "Number to dial?" field and click on "Dial Now." Your call will now be processed using VSoft.
If you don't have VSoft installed on your PC, you will be prompted to install it when you click on "Dial Now." The download and install are very quick and require little user interaction. Once you've installed VSoft, you're ready to make your call!
Please note: If you are using a pop-up blocker, you must turn it off to install and/or use VSoft.
If you already have VSoft installed, you know about its high-quality video. It also offers these great features:
Easily resize the VI's (Video Interpreter's) screen by clicking on one of the four resizing buttons in the bottom right-hand corner of the VI's screen. If you click the largest of these buttons, the VI's window becomes full screen. If you want to make the VI's full screen smaller, click on the yellow "x" in the upper left-hand corner and it will automatically be resized to a smaller window. You can click on these resize buttons in any order as often as you like.
Type in the chat box even if it's not visible. If the VI's screen is full screen and you need to type something in the chatbox, as soon as you type the first letter, the VI's screen is resized to a smaller window and your typing automatically appears in the chat box.
Browse the Internet while on hold. During a VRS call, if the hearing party puts you on hold, you can minimize your VSoft windows and browse the web while waiting. As soon as the hearing party returns, the VI will pop up your VSoft windows for you and you can continue your conversation.
Save your settings. For example, if you always want to make calls using VSoft High, or want all your calls to be VCO calls, simply make those choices on the AT&T VRS home screen or inside the phone book. From then on, every VRS call you make will be processed using these saved settings. You can change these settings as often as you like or you can set them once and make VRS calls, knowing they all will be processed according to your saved settings.
When you download VSoft, you also get AT&T XpressVRS. AT&T XpressVRS allows you to make a VRS call without typing in a phone number. For example, if you would like to call a number you find on a website, simply highlight that number and click on the XpressVRS icon on your Internet Explorer link toolbar. You don't have to be on the www.attvrs.com page to do this. You can be on any webpage and do this. An AT&T VRS call will automatically be launched for you, using your saved settings. And if you want, you also have the option of clicking on the XpressVRS icon, typing the number you want to call in the box, and clicking on OK. This, too, can be done from any webpage. AT&T XpressVRS makes calling so much easier!
8. Can I connect to AT&T VRS if my company has a firewall?
Yes. When you use VRS to place calls over the Internet, several IP ports are required to establish the outbound connection. The following table shows the ports, their functions, and the resulting connection.
| Port |
Function |
Outbound Connection |
| 389 |
Internet Locator Service (ILS) |
TCP |
| 522 |
User Location Service |
TCP |
| 1503 |
T.120 |
TCP |
| 1720 |
H.323 |
TCP |
| 1731 |
Audio call control |
TCP |
| Dynamic |
H.323 call control |
TCP |
| Dynamic |
H.323 streaming |
Real-Time Transfer Protocol (RTP) over UDP |
If you use a firewall to connect to the Internet, it must be configured so that the IP ports are not blocked. To establish outbound video connections through a firewall, the firewall must be configured to do the following:
- Pass through primary TCP connections on ports 389, 522, 1503, 1720, and 1731.
- Pass through secondary TCP and UDP connections on dynamically assigned ports (1024-65535).
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9. Will VRS work if I have a firewall at home?
If you are able to see yourself in the self-view box but unable to view the Video Interpreter, most likely the problem is that you are behind a firewall, which is preventing you from receiving video images. It is recommended that you contact our Technical Support for assistance in working with your home firewall unit.
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10. Why is my video quality so poor?
Several things can affect the quality of your video. Possible factors include:
- Computer configuration
- Network or Internet congestion
- Inadequate lighting or inappropriate background which increases pixelation
- Lack of RAM on your computer due to many applications running at the same time
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11. What is the Addressbook?
The Addressbook feature allows you to create and store a personal list of phone numbers. The Addressbook is easy to use and requires no special software. Your personal Addressbook can be accessed from any computer. The Addressbook entries are stored alphabetically by last name and divided into small groups making it easier for you to access. Your Addressbook is secured by your username and password. VRS users who wish to create a Addressbook should click on "Addressbook" and then click on "Add New Number." A short form will follow. Note: The information provided on the form is strictly confidential.
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12. How do I make a VRS call using a videophone?
If you're using a D-Link i2eyeTM, follow these steps:
- Select "Manual Dial"
- Click on "Dial"
- Skip "Enter a country code"
- Skip "Area code"
- Skip "Phone number"
- Enter "ATTVRS.TV" in the box labeled "Enter an address"
- Click on "Dial"
If you want to save this entry in your speed dial list so you don't have to manually enter the information every time you make a call, follow these steps:
- From the main screen, click on "Dial"
- Click on "Add"
- In the "Name" field, type ATT VRS, or any other name that's easy for you to remember and associate with AT&T.
- Skip "Enter a country code"
- Skip "area code"
- Skip "Phone number"
- Enter "ATTVRS.TV" in the box labeled "Enter an address"
- Click on "OK" to save this entry
Additional information about the D-Link can be found on their website
here.
If you're using a videophone other than a D-Link i2eyeTM, please follow that manufacturer's instructions for making a call.
Any non-proprietary videophone can be used with our service.
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